Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 06 Aug 2025 EDT
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki: Episode Discussion Thread - 24
SHIFTING BACK 6.8
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 07 Aug 2025 EDT
Kumkum bhagya to go off air ?
GRUHA🏠PRAVESH 7.8
Dharma..what a downfall!!
Anupamaa 06 Aug 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
What if (Fun Post)
Janaabe Aali - War 2 - Hrithik Jr NTR Dance Face Off
She Ijj Bekkkkk?
War 2 shows in New Zealand removed due to ZERO bookings on 1st Day
Dil Se or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
Which mihir you prefer
Rate episode 66: "Ekk Insaan Do Maut"
RATED 'R' READER DISCRETION IS ADVICED...18+READERS ONLY!!!
The truth was that she had married a hard headed, rigid, stone hearted of a man.
Zoya came to this depressing conclusion after living with her husband for three long months. Asad was downright mean-hearted. He was outrageously stubborn, horribly set in his ways, and completely unreasonable with his orders. Those were his better qualities. He treated her like an invalid. She wasn't allowed to lift a finger, was waited on hand and foot, and was always followed around by one of his men. She put up with the nonsense for a good two months before her irritation got the better of her. She did protest then, but to no avail. Asad wouldn't listen. His ideas about marriage were most bizarre. He wanted her protected under lock and key, and God's truth, whenever she went outside for a breath of fresh air, he tried to chase her back inside.
Dinners were insufferable. She was expected to maintain her dignity throughout the meal, while chaos ruled around her. None of the men she dined with were used to of a quiet relaxing dinner. They were loud, rude, and made horrid, disgusting noises, discussing matters of work at the tableAt first it came to Zoya as a shock that a lot of Asad's staff stayed in the premises of his estate, a land that was wide spread in all directions.More like a little city within a city. But with the time taking its course she got used to it, and almost looked at it as her husbands hospitality, the reflections of his warm heart. But soon it wore off, not because they dined with them almost every other day, and dragged work on to the dinner table, but due to the crude nature of their interactions. Most of them were contractors, working on Asad's recent project, their manners seemed to be left at bay with the kind of people they had to interact with.. Zoya tried and stayed away not criticizing anyone. She felt it would be better if she continued to maintain her separation from the Asad's office and personal staff whenever possible. In her mind, uninvolvement meant peace, and that was the one goal she longed to gain.
Since Asad still wouldn't let her go horseback riding along the outskirts of his estate, to the meadows closeby, she spent most of the days alone. Her husband believed she was too fragile for running around the house and managing each and every staff member and their work, she supposed, and how in God's name did one debate that ludicrous opinion? To keep herself from becoming rusty, she decided to take up a new hobby of archery, one of the many activities Asad liked to indulge in, hence influencing her to take that up.It also provided her with a skill that she silently wished she never had to use. Making a tree trunk at the base of the hill her target, she practiced there with her bow and arrows. She really was quite good with the weapon and was proud to boast she'd actually bested Asad time or two in target games.
No one bothered her while she was at her task. The women ignored her most of the time. The older staff were openly hostile. Several young women of the staff followed the example set by their unspoken leader, a tall, robust woman with ruddy cheeks and white-blond hair named Linda. She did a lot of unladylike snorting whenever Zoya walked past. Zoya didn't believe Linda was an evil woman, though. She was very good at managing the entire house and getting things done. If her guess was true, Zoya decided she couldn't fault the woman. While Linda was working from early morning until late with the other women, cleaning, organizing and refurbishing required amenities in the house and around, Zoya was leisurely strolling around the house, giving the appearance, she was sure, of a lazy queen of the manor.
No, Zoya didn't blame the women for resenting her. Asad was in part responsible for their opinion of her because he wouldn't allow her to interact with any of them, but Zoya was honest enough with herself to acknowledge she'd allowed the separation and hadn't done anything to change the women's opinions of her. She hadn't tried to be friendly with any of them, following old habits without taking the time to question her own motives.
After three months of solitude, she had to admit that, though her life was peaceful, it was also lonely and boring. She wanted to fit in. Just as important, she wanted to help Asad was too busy with the his many endeavors to worry about her problems. She wasn't about to complain to her husband anyway. The problem was hers to solve.
Once Zoya named the dilemma, she set about solving it. She no longer wanted to separate herself from the house and its people and tried to join in whenever possible. She was shy by nature, almost painfully so, but she still forced herself to greet whenever she spotted someone passing by by. The men always responded with a smile or a kind word; most of the women pretended they hadn't heard her. There were some exceptions, of course. Leila and Megan, the two Women who'd assisted with her bath on her wedding night, seemed to like her, but the others refused her every offer of friendship.
She was confused by their attitude. She didn't know what she could do to change their minds about her. On Tuesday, when Keith was assigned the duty of looking out for her, she put the question to him.
"I would like your opinion, Keith, ona n issue. I can't seem to find a way to gain acceptance from the Women Do you have a suggestion to offer?"
Keith scratched his jaw while he listened to her. He could tell she was upset by the womens behavior toward her, yet hesitated to explain the reason because he knew he would hurt her feelings. After several days spent protecting her, his own attitude had softened. She was still somewhat timid, but she certainly wasn't a coward as some of the Women believed.
Zoya noticed his hesitation. She thought he didn't want to talk about the problem because they were within hearing distance of some of the women working close by.
"Will you walk with me up the hill?"
"Certainly, maam."
Neither one said another word until they were well away from the courtyard. Keith finally broke the silence. "Maam,this house has been run by these women for the last 10 years now, and they are set in their ways.They always thought the Mr Khan was never the one to marry, making them feel like they were the owners of this place.Not only that, a lot of women were employed off of the business Mr Khan took over from Mr Rashid, who at that point was also your father's business partner.So those ladies seem to draw that line of grudge all the way to you, cos they thought even your father had a role to play in their misery.
She didn't have the faintest idea what he was talking about. He looked terribly earnest though.
"It's the addition of territory and that of old misplaced grudge that just seem to have blended together and been targeted towards you.For some you are a threat on their authority, while for others you took away their husbands or their jobs.So Ya
He acted as though he'd finished his explanation. She shook her head in frustration. "I still don't understand why they hate me so much...and keep their distance.I've been trying to be friendly with them but still...she spoke frustrated..
"Maam please don't concern yousefl with such silly antics of these women, and there is also the fact that your husband would kill anyone who dared to touch you." concluded Keith
"I'm not concerned about my safety," she replied. "I can take care of myself. I can't fight memories though. I can't change what happened to some and neither can I keep them in false illusions. Don't look so sad and distressed Keith. I believe I've won a few of the women over. I heard one of them call me courageous. She wouldn't have given me that compliment if she didn't think now,would she???
"The praise isn't praise at all," Keith announced, anger lacing his brogue. "I cannot allow you to believe it is."
"Now what are you trying to tell me?" she asked in frustration.
Getting a straight answer out of the the head of security was proving to be a difficult task. Zoya held onto her patience while she waited for him to sort out in his mind whatever was worrying him.
Keith let out a loud sigh. "They call Auggie clever."
She nodded. "Auggie is very clever," she agreed.
He shook his head. "They believe he's stupid
"Then why in heaven's name do they call him clever?"
"Because he isn't."
The expression on her face told him she still hadn't caught on. "They call your husband merciful."
" Mr Khan would be pleased hear that."
"Nay, maam, he would not be pleased."
And still she didn't understand. Keith believed it would be a cruel disservice to let her remain ignorant. "Your husband would be furious if he thought the Women truly believed he was a merciful man. The women, you see, gave the name that least fits. It's a foolish game they play. They actually believe that Mr Khan is ruthless. 'Tis the reason they admire him," he added with a nod. "A leader doesn't wish to be known as merciful or kind-hearted. He would see it as a
weakness."
She slowly straightened her spine. She was starting to grasp the meaning behind the women's game.
"And so, if what you say is true, then they consider Auggie to be..."
"Dull-witted."
She finally understood. Keith saw the tears gather in her eyes before she turned away from him. "Then I'm not courageous in their minds. I'm a coward. Now I understand. Thank you for taking the time to explain, Keith. I know it was difficult for you."
"Maam, please give me the name of the woman you heard call you..."
"I will not," she said as she shook her head. She couldn't look at him. She felt embarrassed... and ashamed. "Will you excuse me please? I believe I'll go back inside now."
She didn't wait to gain his permission but turned and hurried down the hill. She suddenly stopped and turned back to him. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mention this conversation to my husband. He doesn't need to be concerned about such unimportant matters as foolish games some women play."
"I will not mention it," Keith agreed. He was a little relieved she didn't want him to repeat the conversation toMr Khan, for he knew there would be hell to pay if his boss found out about the insult.
Telling his Mr Khan about the women's cruelty toward Zoya maam made him feel traitorous. Keith knew it was Linda and her cohorts causing all the mischief. He decided to take the time to have a firm talk with his wife and tell her to set things straight the women.
Zoya went up to her bedroom and stayed there the rest of the afternoon. She alternated between anger and self-pity. She was certainly suffering from hurt feelings because of the women's cruelty, but that wasn't the true reason she cried. Or rather, what really bothered Zoya was the possibility they were right. Was she really a coward?
She didn't have any answers. She wanted to hide in her room, but she forced herself to go down to dinner. Asad would be home from his office, and Keith would be there as well, and she didn't want either one of them to guess she was having any difficulties.
The room was crowded with staff. Most were already seated at the long table
No one bothered to acknowledge her. That bothered her. She didn't believe the men were being deliberately rude, however. The staff simply didn't realize they were being discourteous.
. Asad was seated at the head of the table, and every other chair, except for the one on his right reserved for her, was taken up.
Tonight, Asad barely acknowledged her. He held a file in his hands and was frowning while he read what it contained.
Zoya didn't interrupt her husband. His men weren't as thoughtful.
Whats going on, Charlie Asad's PA asked.
Asad finished reading the file and closed it. "The message is for Zoya."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "For me?" she asked as she reached for the file.
Asad wouldn't let Zoya have the file. His frown was fierce when he asked, "Do you know a businessman by the name of Randeep Sharma?"
Her hand froze in midair. In the space of a heartbeat, the color left her face. She felt faint and took a quick breath to try to calm herself.
"Zoya?" he prodded when she didn't immediately answer him.
"I know him."
"The message comes from Sharma," Asad said. "My security won't let him contact you unless I give permission for him to Who is this man and what does he want?"
Zoya could barely hide her agitation. She wanted more than anything to get up and run but refused to give in to the cowardly urge.
I wont speak to him
Asad leaned back in his chair. He could see her fear and feel her panic. Her reaction to the news didn't sit well with him. Didn't she realize she was safe? Damn it all, he wasn't about to let anything happen to her.
He let out a sigh. She obviously didn't know, he realized. In time she would learn that he would protect her from harm. She'd learn to trust him, too, and then messages from Farhaan businessman friends wouldn't make her so scared ever again
Asad knew he was being arrogant. He didn't care. Right now he wanted most of all to soothe his wife. He didn't like seeing her frightened. He had one other motive as well. He wanted to get to the truth.
"Has this man offended you in some way?"
"No."
"Who is he, Zoya?"
"I won't speak to him," she said again. Her voice shook with emotion.
"I want to know..."
He stopped his question when she shook her head at him. He reached over and captured her chin with his hand to force her to stop denying him.
"Listen to me," he commanded. "You don't have to see him or speak to him."
He gave her his promise in a low, fervent voice.
She looked wary now, and uncertain. "Do you mean it? You won't let him come here?"
"I mean it."
She visibly relaxed. "Thank you."
Asad let go of her and leaned back in his chair again. "Now answer my question," he ordered again. "Who the hell is Randeep Sharma?
Every person in the room was silent now, watching and listening. It was obvious to all of them their bosses wife was frightened. They were curious to find out why.
"Randeep Sharmais a powerful man in New York," she whispered. "Some say he's as powerful as Farhaan
Asad waited for her to continue. Long minutes passed before he realized she wasn't going to tell him more.
"Is he friends with Farhaan?" he asked.
"No," Zoya answered. "He hates Farhaan. But he worked along with Farhaan to grope my fathers business.He helped
"You still haven't explained why Sharma would want to speak to you," Asad reminded her.
"Perhaps he thinks I could help him in something. Even if I could, I wouldn't.
"Help him in what?" her husband asked.
She wouldn't answer him.
I can't imagine why Randeep Sharma would want to talk to me. I don't know anything that would aid his cause.
She was lying. Asad didn't have any doubt about that fact. She was obviously terrified, too.
"Sharma wants to ask you some questions," he remarked.
"About what?" Charlie asked when Zoya remained silent.
Asad kept his gaze on his wife when he gave his answer. "Farhaan," he said. "He's now convinced that he can use Zoya and what Farhaan did with her in his favour.
Zoya started to stand up. Asad caught hold of her hand and forced her to stay where she was. He could feel her trembling.
"I will not talk to Sharma," she cried out. "Farhaan is in jail and he has the money he needed to buy the new business.I have nothing to offer,
She had already told him more than she intended.
Zoya already knew his reasons. Asad thought she might know how her father had died and had proof. He considered all the ramifications if his guess proved true, then shook his head. "New York is far away from us," he announced. "I will not allow anyone to come here. I never break my word, Zoya. You will not speak to any of them."
She nodded. Charlie started to ask another question, but Mr Khan's glare stopped him.
"We are finished discussing this matter," he commanded. "Give me your report on the progress of the project, Charlie."
Zoya was too upset to listen to the conversation. Her stomach was queasy, and she could barely swallow a bite of food. There was chicken and leftover salmon, but she knew she'd gag if she tried to eat anything more.
She stared at the food, wondering how long before she got back to her room.
"You should eat something," Asad told her.
"I'm not hungry," she replied. "I'm not used to eating such large meals close to bedtime," she explained as her excuse. "In New York, dinner was usually served between 6-7. It's going to take time to get accustomed to the change. Will you excuse me now? I would like to go upstairs."
Asad nodded permission. Since Charlie was staring at her, she bid him good night, then got up and walked toward the entrance. She spottedMidas lounging on the left of the steps and immediately altered her path to make a wide half circle around the beast. She kept her gaze on the dog until she had gotten past him, then hurried on.
She took her time getting ready for bed. Going through such simple, uncomplicated rituals made her feel calmer and more in control of her fear. She forced herself to concentrate on each little task. She added two logs to the fire in the fireplace, washed, and then sat down to brush her hair. She hated the chore. It seemed to take forever to get all the tangles out. Her scalp ached from the weight of the heavy mass, and by the time she was finished, she was too tired to braid it.
Zoya had run out of chores, and so she tried to think about other mundane things, for she believed that if she could block her fear, it would eventually go away.
"Asad's right," she whispered. "New York is a world away from here."
I'm safe, she thought to herself, and Ayaan and aapi will continue to be safe in New York as long as I remain silent.
Zoya put her brush down and prayed for courage.
Asad came into the room just as she was finishing her prayer. He found his wife sitting on the side of the bed staring at the flames in the fireplace. He bolted the door, pulled off his boots, and then walked over to the opposite side of the bed. She stood up and turned around to face
him.
She looked so damned sad to him.
"Zoya?"
She looked up at him. "Yes?"
"Eventually you will tell me what you know. I won't demand. I'll wait. When you're ready to confide in me, you will."
"Tell you what?
He let out a sigh. "You'll tell me what's scaring the hell out of you."
She thought about protesting, then changed her mind. She didn't want to lie to Asad.
"We are married now," she said. "And it isn't just your duty to protect me, Asad. It is also my duty to keep you safe whenever I can."
He didn't know what she meant by the outrageous remark. Keep him safe? Hell, she had it all backward in her mind. He was supposed to protect her and watch his own back. He would make certain he stayed alive long years so he could take care of her and Ali.
"Wives do not protect their husbands," he decided aloud.
"This wife does," she countered.
He was about to argue with her, but she turned his attention. She didn't say a word. She simply untied the belt to her robe and took the garment off. She wasn't wearing anything underneath.
His breath caught in the back of his throat. Dear God, she was beautiful. The firelight behind her cast a golden glow to her skin. There wasn't a single flaw to mar her appeal. Her breasts were full, her waist was narrow, and her legs were long.
Asad didn't remember taking his clothes off. He held her stare for long, silent minutes, until his heart was slamming inside his chest and his breathing was harsh with his arousal.
Zoya fought her embarrassment. She knew she was blushing because she could feel the heat in her face.
They both reached for the covers at the same time. Then they reached for each other. Zoya
was still on her knees when Asad pulled her into his arms. He rolled her onto her back, covered her with his body, and kissed her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. She was desperate for his touch. She wanted him tonight. She needed his comfort and his acceptance.
He needed satisfaction. His hands roughly caressed her shoulders, her back, her thighs. The feel of her silky skin inflamed him.
Zoya didn't need to be coaxed into responding. She couldn't stop stroking him. His body was so hard, his skin so wonderfully hot, and the way he made love to her with his mouth and hands aroused her to a fevered state in bare minutes.
It wasn't possible to be inhibited with Asad. He was a demanding lover, rough and gentle at the same time. He stroked the fires inside her with his intimate caresses, and when his fingers penetrated her and his thumb rubbed against the most sensitive nub hidden beneath her sleek folds, she became wild.
He took her hand and put it on his hard arousal. She squeezed him; he growled low in his throat. He whispered erotic praise and instructions of how he wanted her to caress him.
Asad couldn't stand the sweet agony for very long. He roughly pulled her hands away from him, lifted her thighs, and thrust deep inside her. She cried out with pleasure. Her nails raked his shoulders, and she arched up against him to take more of him inside. He almost spilled his seed then and there. It took every ounce of discipline he possessed to hold back. His hand moved down between their joined bodies, and he stroked her with his fingers until she found her fulfillment. Then he allowed his own.
His orgasm consumed him. He groaned with raw pleasure as he poured his hot seed into her. She kept calling his name, and he called God's.
Asad collapsed on top of his wife with a loud, satisfied grunt. He stayed inside her, unwilling to let go of the bliss he'd just experienced.
Zoya didn't want to let go of her husband just yet. She felt cherished when she was being held by him. She felt safe too... and almost loved.
His weight soon became crushing. She finally had to ask him to move so she could draw a proper breath.
He didn't know if he had enough strength. That thought amused him. He rolled to his side, taking her with him, then pulled the covers up and closed his eyes.
"Asad?"
He didn't answer her. She poked him in the chest to gain his attention. He grunted in response.
"You were right. I am weak."
She waited to hear his agreement. He said nothing. "A northern wind could probably blow me over," she said, repeating the words he'd spoken on their first night as man and wife.
He remained silent. "I might even be a little timid."
Several minutes passed before she spoke again. "But the other things, they aren't true. I won't let them be true."
She closed her eyes and said her prayers. Asad thought she'd fallen asleep. He was about to do the same. Then her voice, whisper-soft, yet filled with conviction, reached him.
"I'm not a coward."
Rose Day ā A Fragrant Beginning The sun had barely risen over Bhopal, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, when Zoya Farooqui burst into...
[NOCOPY] A/N: Don't be offensive by name, use of religion or story, it is just a reason awareness or treatment of Women. Nothing Personal. I do...
Debate Mansion
14